Former President Donald Trump stated that he had urged Rep. Cory Mills to exit the Republican primary race for Florida's 7th Congressional District before the incumbent's defeat.

Trump made the comment in a Truth Social post following Mills' loss to challenger Ryan Elijah on Tuesday. "I told Congressman Cory Mills of Florida, a friend of mine, to get out of the Race, but he wouldn’t listen. He thought he could win, so who can blame him?" Trump wrote.

Trump had endorsed Mills in February, when the former president praised him on Truth Social as an "America First Patriot" and "Brave U.S. Army Combat Veteran." Trump did not include Mills among candidates he endorsed in the days leading up to the primary. Mills had faced an ethics investigation over allegations of misconduct and campaign finance concerns, which he denied.

The outcome highlighted challenges for some Trump-backed candidates in Florida races amid ongoing controversies.